The 22-year-old striker made his debut as a second-half substitute during Sunderland's 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday after arriving on a season-long loan deal from Anfield on transfer deadline day.

Despite the £6million sale of Stephane Sessegnon, the Black Cats had little left in their budget as the club continue their efforts to balance the books.

Although the £10.5million striker is only with Sunderland for the season, Di Canio believes the Italian international will fill the void left by Sessegnon during his time on Wearside.

"Borini is a player that I have no worries about," the boss told the Shields Gazette.

"We have to be honest, at the end of the transfer market we couldn't spend any more money and in Borini we were able to loan a player with the characteristics I had asked for.

"He was available and we knew he could do a job because he's a good player and we knew our regime would be able to help him.

"We know that we can help him develop as a player and for us, he provides us with another option."

Borini made just five starts for Liverpool last term but has strong roots in the British game, having come through the ranks at Chelsea as well spending two months on loan at Swansea City in the Championship and Di Canio has lauded the talent of the young striker.

"He was excellent at Swansea, scored regularly and we should remember that even though he is only 22 he is already in his fourth season as a professional," added Di Canio.

"Despite all the injuries, he is already a senior Italian striker at the age of 22. So he has a great deal of experience for a young man but he is a strong attacker with a British quality and he loves to play in England. He has real quality too.

"He has to prove himself, he has to convince me, but he is young, a very good prospect with a proper English attitude and this could be a very exciting time for him here."